Physicochemical properties, molecular structure, antioxidant activity, and biological function of extracellular melanin from Ascosphaera apis / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Ascosphaera apis spores containing a dark-colored pigment infect honeybee larvae, resulting in a large-scale collapse of the bee colony due to chalkbrood disease. However, little is known about the pigment or whether it plays a role in bee infection caused by A. apis. In this study, the pigment was isolated by alkali extraction, acid hydrolysis, and repeated precipitation. Ultraviolet (UV) analysis revealed that the pigment had a color value of 273, a maximum absorption peak at 195 nm, and a high alkaline solubility (7.67%) and acid precipitability. Further chemical structure analysis of the pigment, including elemental composition, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), proved that it was a eumelanin with a typical indole structure. The molecular formula of melanin is C10H6O4N2, and its molecular weight is 409 Da. Melanin has hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino, and phenolic groups that can potentially chelate to metal ions. Antioxidant function analyses showed that A. apis melanin had a high scavenging activity against superoxide, hydroxyl, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, and a high reducing ability to Fe3+. Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses showed that A. apis melanin was located on the spore wall. The spore wall localization, antioxidant activity, and metal ion chelating properties of fungal melanin have been suggested to contribute to spore pathogenicity. However, further infection experiments showed that melanin-deficient spores did not reduce the mortality of bee larvae, indicating that melanin does not increase the virulence of A. apis spores. This study is the first report on melanin produced by A. apis, providing an important background reference for further study on its role in A. apis.

Consensus Guidelines in Usage of Biologics in Dermatology during COVID-19 Pandemic: Biologic Advisory Group Malaysia

@#The aim of this Biologic Advisory Group (BAG) Malaysia consensus guideline is to provide clinicians managing cutaneous diseases with biologics relevant parameters to consider prior to initiating or stopping or continuing any biologic treatment in the current landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides reviewing the medical literatures on COVID-19 and evidences related to other human coronavirus or influenza, expert opinions and clinical experiences are shared and debated in formulation of this biologic consensus guideline.

Epidemiological survey on a family aggregation COVID-19 in Y County, Chenzhou City, Hunan / 上海预防医学

Objective To investigate epidemic characteristics of a family aggregation COVID-19, and to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of family aggregation epidemic. Methods] Field epidemiological methods were used to investigate the cases and close contacts of a family aggregation COVID-19 in Y County, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province. Descriptive statistical analysis was used on epidemiological data . The 2019-nCoV nucleic acid was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR. Results It was found that Ms. Deng was infected with COVID-19 and became the infectious source of the family aggregation epidemic , who had lived in Wuhan Hubei Province. Her boyfriend Mr. Cao became a second-generation case of COVID-19..Another two asymptomatic but infected persons were family members living with Ms.Deng . Conclusion COVID-19 easily spreads within families. The awareness of family members' protection, the education of new coronavirus pneumonia prevention and control in key groups should be strengthened to avoid the occurrence and spread of family aggregation epidemic.

Mammary Paget's Disease of the Nipple: Relatively Common but Still Unknown to Many / 가정의학회지

Mammary Paget's disease is clinically defined as skin inflammation of the nipple area and is an adenocarcinoma of the epidermis of the nipple. The pathogenesis of mammary Paget's disease is relatively unknown; nonetheless, there are two popular theories that support the underlying carcinoma and de novo carcinogenesis. For the attending medical practitioner, mammary Paget's disease poses a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma, especially in the absence of a clinically palpable breast mass. We report a rare case of a 48-year-old Malay woman who presented at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia with the symptom of skin erosion on the left nipple and unresponsiveness to multiple topical treatments. A full evaluation and assessment of the patient were conducted, and mammary Paget's disease was diagnosed.

Application of CT/MRI image registration and fusion combined with 3D printing technique in pre-surgical planning of refractory pelvic tumors / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective·To explore the value of applying CT/MRI image registration and fusion combined with 3D printing technique in pre-surgical planning of refractory pelvic tumors. Methods·A retrospective analysis was performed on the cases with refractory pelvic tumors admitted between March 2014 and December 2016 in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. CT/MRI examinations were performed as a routine pre-surgical procedure, and the resulting images were subject to rapid registration and fusion with the Medraw software in order to accurately determine the tumor boundaries and to be used as references in designing and making patient-specific tumor models, prostheses, and implants by 3D printing technique. Results·A total of 13 cases with refractory pelvic tumors were included in this study (8 cases of chondrosarcoma, 1 case of osteosarcoma with aneurysmal bone cyst, 1 case of dedifferentiated sarcoma, 1 case of fibrous connective tissue hyperplasia, 1 case of solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma, and 1 case of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma) with an average age of (50.0±8.5) years. According to the Enneking classification,there were 2 cases in zone Ⅰ , 2 in zones Ⅰ + Ⅱ , 1 in zones Ⅱ + Ⅲ , 3 in zones Ⅰ + Ⅱ + Ⅲ , 1 in zones Ⅰ + Ⅱ + Ⅳ , 1 in zonesⅠ + Ⅱ + Ⅲ + Ⅳ , 1 in zones Ⅰ + Ⅳ , 1 in zones Ⅱ + Ⅳ , and 1 in zone Ⅳ. The mean maximal tumor diameter was (15.15±4.81) cm without implicating the pelvic blood vessels. Results from intraoperative frozen section at resection boundaries and the installation of prosthesis showed that the actual surgical procedure was consistent with the surgical planning based on the reported image fusion technique. Conclusion·CT/MRI image registration and fusion technique combined with 3D printing technique can accurately determine the resection boundary of pelvic tumors and assist in designing of individualized prosthesis model and surgical guide, which has a great value in pre-surgical planning and clinical treatment of refractory pelvic tumors.

Application of CT/MRI image registration and fusion combined with 3D printing technique in pre-surgical planning of refractory pelvic tumors / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective·To explore the value of applying CT/MRI image registration and fusion combined with 3D printing technique in pre-surgical planning of refractory pelvic tumors. Methods·A retrospective analysis was performed on the cases with refractory pelvic tumors admitted between March 2014 and December 2016 in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. CT/MRI examinations were performed as a routine pre-surgical procedure, and the resulting images were subject to rapid registration and fusion with the Medraw software in order to accurately determine the tumor boundaries and to be used as references in designing and making patient-specific tumor models, prostheses, and implants by 3D printing technique. Results·A total of 13 cases with refractory pelvic tumors were included in this study (8 cases of chondrosarcoma, 1 case of osteosarcoma with aneurysmal bone cyst, 1 case of dedifferentiated sarcoma, 1 case of fibrous connective tissue hyperplasia, 1 case of solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma, and 1 case of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma) with an average age of (50.0±8.5) years. According to the Enneking classification,there were 2 cases in zone Ⅰ , 2 in zones Ⅰ + Ⅱ , 1 in zones Ⅱ + Ⅲ , 3 in zones Ⅰ + Ⅱ + Ⅲ , 1 in zones Ⅰ + Ⅱ + Ⅳ , 1 in zonesⅠ + Ⅱ + Ⅲ + Ⅳ , 1 in zones Ⅰ + Ⅳ , 1 in zones Ⅱ + Ⅳ , and 1 in zone Ⅳ. The mean maximal tumor diameter was (15.15±4.81) cm without implicating the pelvic blood vessels. Results from intraoperative frozen section at resection boundaries and the installation of prosthesis showed that the actual surgical procedure was consistent with the surgical planning based on the reported image fusion technique. Conclusion·CT/MRI image registration and fusion technique combined with 3D printing technique can accurately determine the resection boundary of pelvic tumors and assist in designing of individualized prosthesis model and surgical guide, which has a great value in pre-surgical planning and clinical treatment of refractory pelvic tumors.